Haredi
Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees.
Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families.
Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married.
There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.
One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.
'He turned my life into hell': Victim of Shomrim's Chaim Rotter details alleged assault
"He’s like the ultra-Orthodox chief of police. I served three years in a commanding position in the army—and no one believes or helps me," the man said.
Chaim Rotter named as Bnei Brak official suspected of sexual assault of minors
Palestinians, Israelis throw stones after Israelis enter Joseph's Tomb in Nablus
Ethiopian families, women locked out of public shelter declared ‘men only’ by extremists - report
Breaching emergency protocols: Shas MK involvement in preventing closure, fines for haredi schools
Biton once served as CEO of Bnei Yosef, a haredi educational network, MQG noted, arguing that not only does this place him in a conflict of interest, it endangers the safety of all of the students.
Ultra-Orthodox minister resigns from Israeli gov't over IDF draft law debacle
In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, Goldknopf outlined the series of delays and setbacks that prevented the bill from proceeding.
Over 50,000 IDF draft orders to ultra-Orthodox Jews scheduled for July
The announcement means that the IDF will be summoning the entire "pool" of eligible haredi men, in addition to the 24,000 haredim who already received initial draft orders since July 2024.
Netanyahu using Iran tension, threats to try and stop Knesset dispersion vote
The vote to dissolve the Knesset is expected to happen around 10 p.m. after opposition party heads unanimously agreed to vote on the issue.
Dramatic preliminary vote to disperse Knesset expected on Wednesday
The coalition’s ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to support the bill due to Netanyahu’s prolonged failure to push through a law to regulate haredi service in the IDF.
Huckabee denies reports he acted to prevent collapse of Netanyahu government
“Israel needs both scholars and soldiers, but how they determine the balance is not something I could or would weigh in on," Huckabee wrote on X.
The Jerusalem Dispatch: ‘Perfect Storm’ Could Topple Netanyahu Government - WATCH
The present Netanyahu-led government has exhausted 13 years of delaying strategies and broken promises to the haredi parties.
Israeli gov't rolls out new program for 3,000 haredi conscripts
Despite the initiative, many critics believe negative incentives are still needed to get haredim to serve.
Prove Israel's progressiveness by preventing violent acts - editorial
The warning signs are no longer warnings - they are violent actions. Words can kill.
'Israel is not a protectorate': Lapid criticizes Huckabee's efforts to avoid gov't collapse
"I hope and believe that the report that he is interfering in Israel’s internal politics and trying to help Netanyahu face the ultra-Orthodox in the evasion law crisis cannot be true," said Lapid.
Yossi Cohen's party could struggle to pass electoral threshold, new poll shows
A new poll reveals that Cohen would only receive four mandates, three of which would come from the Change Bloc.
